Catamenial tampon



March 11, 1969 D. D. KOKX 3,431,910

CATAMENIAL TAMPON Filed May 18, 1966 INVENTOR. Darrel D. Kokx ./ATTORNEYUnited States Patent Oficc 3,431,910 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 3,431,910CATAMENIAL TAMPON Darrel D. Kokx, Greenhills, Ohio, assignor to TheProcter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio FiledMay 18, 1966, Ser. No. 550,995

US. Cl. 128-485 Int. Cl. A61f 13/20; B32b 3/04 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to a catamenial tampon blank and moreparticularly to a catamenial tampon blank which is anatomicallyconfigured and allows the user to accept a large quantity of highlyabsorbent material without discomfort.

Presently available catamenial tampons generally have inadequate in-useabsorptive capacity and have universally employed tampon blanks of alength which is less than about 3%." because of in-use comfort problemsassociated with longer devices. In this connection, it is thought thatwhen a tampon constructed of a blank of greater length is placed in avaginal chamber the expansion of the tampon in the lengthwise directioncauses the uppermost end thereof to abut the users cervix which in turndirects subsequent expansion downwardly, forcing the lower tampon endinto the sensitive introital area of the user, thus causing substantialdiscomfort.

Tampons of inadequate in-use capacity cannot be used by some women as asole means of catamenial protection during times of heavy flow of mensesin the menstrual period because of the high risk of embrassing failure.Therefore such Women have frequently resorted to the use of sanitarynapkins in addition to the catamenial tampon at least until the flowrate of menses is such that the tampon is capable of providing theextent of protection desired. Even so, it has been necessary to changeor replace the tampon quite frequently, an inconvenience and expense tothe user. In a commercial sense, this situation presents a particularlycritical problem inasmuch as such women are frequently lost to thetampon market because they revert to napkin-only users.

In an effort to improve catamenial devices attempts have been made toscale-up the size of tampons to provide additional absorbent material inthe tampon whereby to increase the in-use capacity and, hence,catamenial protection afforded by the devices. Thus, the length of thetampon blank is increased to the 3 /2" maximum described above and thecross-sectional area of the tampon blank is made larger whereby toincrease the absorptive capacity of the devices to the desired extent.However, as with the length, it is found that there is a maximumcross-sectional area of tampon blank which can be accepted in comfort bymost females. These apparent dimensional limitations have imposed aceiling or maximum on the absorptive capacity of catamenial tampons.

It has been found that the previously believed maximum length of 3 /2for a tampon blank can be exceeded provided that the cross-sectionalarea of the tampon blank at any point greater than 3 /2 from the stringend is sized so as to allow the tampon to expand in a longitudinaldirection past the users cervix and into the posterior fornix of thevaginal cavity, rather than to abut the cervix. Expansion of the upperend of the tampon past the cervix of the user can be accomplished onlyif the cross-sectional areas of the tampon blank at points spaced fromthe string end by 3 /2" or more are decreased in accordance with acritical relationship dependent on such spacing.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate the above-statedproblems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a catamenialtampon which has sufiicient in-use absorptive capacity to provide thesole means of catamenial protection for a woman during periods of heavymenses flow.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a catamenialtampon which is economical to manufacture, comfortable, which has anin-use absorptive capacity substantially higher than that of prior artdevices, and which provides increased protection against soiling ofundergarments and/or increases wearing time.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of this invention there isprovided a highly absorbent tampon blank of absorbent fibers which hasin an uncompressed condition an overall length in the range of fromabout 3 /2 to about 5" and has a taper at its proximal end, the endfirst inserted in use. At no point does the tampon blank have atransverse cross-sectional area (i.e., the cross-sectional areaperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tampon) which is greaterthan about 1.2. square inches when measured under a pressure of 0.25p.s.i.g. exerted on the opposed faces of the blank. The blankintermediate the proximal end and points spaced 3 /2" from the distalend (the end opposite the proximal end) is sized and configured so thatthe transverse cross-sectional area thereof do not exceed a maximumbased on the equation:

A=1.2[le where A is the maximum transverse cross-sectional area insquare inches at a specified distance from the distal end, e is the baseof the natural logarithmic system (about 2.72) and L is the distance ofthe area from the distal end, in inches.

Although the specification concludes with claims particularly pointingout and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as thepresent invention it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a catamenial tamponblank of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a tampon blankof the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a plan view illustrating the manner in which the tamponblanks of FIGURE 2 may be nested for cutting from a sheet or batt ofabsorbent material.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a catamenial tampon blank 11which has been cut to size from an absorbent, fibrous, batt ofsubstantially uniform thickness. The material from which the blank ismade can comprise cotton, rayon or other absorbent fibers of staplelength (having a length of from about A" up to about 4"). The materialcan be carded or garnetted and preferably is needle punched. Thethickness t of the batt which can be used varies in accordance with theother dimensions of the blank whereby to result in cross-sectional areasthereof falling within desired limits. While the embodiment of blank 11described is cut from a single batt, similar results can be achieved bycutting the blanks 11 from a plurality of superposed batts which areunited in some manner, e.g., as by sewing, and whose cumulativethickness is equal to the thickness t; or, alternatively, could beformed by folding a batt having a thickness of t/ 2 over on itselfwhereby to result in the desired thickness. In any event, where thewidth w of the blank, as shown in FIGURE 1, is about 1 /2", the battshould be at least about 0.5 and not more than about 0.8" thick whenmeasured under 0.25 p.s.i.g. pressure exerted on the opposite faces 1 ofthe batt. Due to varying conditions of flufiiness, etc. of batts of thistype, it is necessary for accuracy that the measurement of thickness 2.be made under conditions in which a finite light pressure is exertedacross this dimension and when so measured (at 0.25 p.s.i.g.) theabove-described absorbent materials usually have densities rangingbetween about 1.2 to about 1.4 grams per cubic inch. Unless otherwisespecified it should be understood that all dimensions hereinaftermentioned relative to the blank, are measured with the aforesaidpressure applied. Thus the maximum cross-sectional area for theembodiment of the blank of FIGURE 1 is equal to about 1.2 square inchesand the minimum is 0.75 square inch for superior absorbency.

In connection with the relationship of width w and thickness t in such'blanks, it has been found that the maximum transverse cross-sectionalarea of tampon blanks at any point along its length l between the distal(drawstring) end and a point spaced therefrom by about 3 /2" should notexceed about 1.2 square inch. For tampon blanks having a length lgreater than 3 /2", the maximum transverse cross-sectional areas atdistances greater than 3%." from the distal end should be graduallyreduced as the distance increases, in accordance with the derivedequation set forth above. If a cross-sectional area substantially higherthan 1.2 square inches is used in such blanks, or if the transverseareas at a distance greater than about 3 /2" from the distal end exceedthe maximum specified by the equation, the discomfort level of thedevice increases to such an extent as to make it undesirable andimpractical for a commercial product.

Discomfort level as used herein is equal to the percentage of womenfeeling definite discomfort when employing a particular catamenialtampon. With respect to tampons, it has been found that about of womenalways feel discomfort regardless of the size of the device, e.g., withthe so-called junior sizes made from blanks which have a transversecross-sectional area of about 0.45 square inch and a length of about 2%.As the size of the tampon blank transverse cross-sectional area isincreased to about 1.2 square inches the discomfort level of is reached.Increasing the maximum transverse cross-sectional area beyond 1.2 squareinches causes the increase in discomfort level to accelerate to such anextent, as indicated above, that it is commercially infeasible toproduce commercial catamenial tampons substantially in excess of thatsize. The same is true about increases over the maximum specified in theequation for transverse cross-sectional areas at distances greater thanabout 3 /2" from the distal end of the tampon blank.

Referring once again to FIGURE 1, the tampon blank 11 is provided with adrawstring 12 at its distal end and has a tapered configuration orportion 13 adjacent its proximal end. The drawstring 12 can be anywaterproof, non-wicking, soft, flexible string having suflicient tensilestrength to avoid failure when employed to withdraw the used tampon. Thedrawstring 12 can have a length of about 11" and is looped and securedthrough the blank at a point centrally located at a distance of about/2" from the distal end. The type of drawstring, its application andother details of this particular feature are Well known in the prior artand are not significant aspects of the present invention and thereforeare not described in detail.

Intermediate the distal end and the points 14 at the start of thetapered configuration 13, the blank 11 has substantially uniformly sizedrectangular transverse crosssectional areas. From the points 14 to theproximal end of the blank 11, the transverse cross-sectional areasthereof are recta gular and de rease un il ea i g a Cir minimum at theproximal end. Using dimensions previously given, e.g., a 1 /2" width wand a .8 thickness t, a suitable taper can be employed whereby thedistal end of the blank has a width of approximately 78'', when thetaper commences at points 14 which are approximately 2 /2" from thedistal end and the length of taper is approximately 1 /2". When sodimensioned the absorbent material comprising the tampon weighsapproximately 5.8 grams.

It is not essential that the reduction of the cross-sectional area ofthe blank at the proximal end result from use of a rectilinear taper. Itis within the purview of this invention to utilize any taperingconfiguration which results in the limitation of the transversecross-sectional area at any point of the blank intermediate the proximalend and points spaced 3 /2" from the distal end to a value which doesnot exceed a maximum defined by the equation:

wherein A is the maximum transverse cross-sectional area of the tamponblank in square inches at the specified distance from the distal endthereof, e is the base of natural logarithmic system, about 2.72, and Lis the distance of the area from the distal end, in inches. Thisequation defines in effect, the maximum dimensions which the tamponblank can have along the tapered portion 13 in order to maintain thedevice within the critical 25% comfort level. As indicated above in thediscussion of comfort level, if the maximum areas defined by theequation are exceeded, the discomfort level increase is acceleratedrapidly making the tampon unmarketable for all practical purposes.

It has also been found that a catamenial tampon constructured ofmaterials presently used must weigh at least about 3.6 grams in order tohave a minimum preferred absorbent capacity of 18 grams of liquid inaccordance with the Syngyna method of absorbency measure. In the Syngynamethod a tampon is placed within the confines of a thin, flexible,waterproof, baloon-like membrane, the entire exterior of which issubjected to a constant hydrostatic pressure. The distal end of thetampon is within the lumen of the membrane, approximately 45 mm. fromthe opening thereof, and the removal string extends through the opening.With the longitudinal tampon axis held at about 15 with the horizontal,drops of a test fluid are applied to the proximal end of the tampon at aconstant predetermined rate by an applicator tip located within themembrane. The end point of the test is determined when the first drop oftest fluid leaks from the opening of the membrane, at which time thetampon is withdrawn by means of the string. The gain in tampon weight byreason of the absorbed fluid is termed the absorbent capacity of thetampon. In determining the absorbent capacities described herein, thepressure used was about 1 of water and the rate of application of fluidwas about 1 cc. per minute. The test fluid composition was as follows:

Grams Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Hercules Powder Company CMC 7M) 5Glycerol Sodium chloride 10 Sodium bicarbonate 4 Water, to make 1000 ml.

While the use of lesser quantities of absorptive materials may besatisfactory for some women, as pointed out above, if a tampon hasinadequate in-use capacity many potential users are subject to thepossibility of embarassing failure during periods of heavy menses flow.A weight of at least about 3.6 grams of absorbent material provides theminimum sufi'icient capacity to alleviate this problem.

Because of the above-described construction, a tampon made from theblank 11 will be comfortable for a sub stantial majority of all femalesand provides a satisfactory amount of absorbent material to permit goodperformance under all conditions. In this connection, it will be notedthat since the portion of the blank adjacent the proximal end thereof istapered, in use most of the absorbent material will be located betweenapproximately the users cervix and introital area, the region in whichthe menses is first absorbed. Thus, while the supplemental material ofthe tapered portion adjacent the distal end is available for absorptionby wicking action and therefore increases the absorptive capacity of thetampon and while the bulk of the material comprising the tampon will belocated in the area best suited for receiving menses, the discomfortlevel of the tampon will remain at or below the critical 25% value.

Another preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES2 and 3 in which the tampon blank 11a is provided with a taperedconfiguration or portion at the distal (string-equipped) end in additionto the tapered portion 13a at the proximal end. The blank can be made ofthe same material described above in connection with FIGURE 1 and hassimilar dimensional limitations so that while the size and configurationof the tapered proximal end can be varied, it must have dimensions whichresult in the limitation of its transverse cross-sectional areas tothose falling within the equation set forth above. In addition, themaximum transverse cross-sectional area at any point along the blankmust not exceed 1.2 square inches and the blank should preferably have aweight of at least about 3.6 grams. For example, the blank 11a can be0.8 thick, 4" long and 1 /2" wide between points 14a (which are located2 /2" from the distal end of the blank) and Ms" wide at the distal andproximal ends. Note that by reason of identical distal and proximal endwidths in the double tapered shape, i.e., where the tapered portions ofthe blank abut, this embodiment is nestable and so may be severed fromwide, fiat batts of material with very little waste 16 to be discardedor reprocessed, as shown in FIGURE 3. Moreover, because of the tapereddistal end of the blank, the tampon, following use, can be removed fromthe vagina more readily than a tampon made from the tampon blank ofFIGURE 1. It will also be noted, though, that the improvementfacilitating removal and nestability reduces the quantity of materialwhich may be incorporated in the blank; however, the use of the taperedproximal end still permits the comfortable inclusion of sufficientabsorbent material to substantially exceed the 3.6 gram minimum weightand makes it possible to use the tapered distal end without substantialdetriment. When dimensioned as indicated above, the device of thisembodiment weighs approximately 4.9 grams.

Many modifications of the above invention may be used and it is notintended to hereby limit it to the particular embodiments shown ordescribed. The term used in describing the invention are used in theirdescriptive sense and not as terms of limitation, it being intended thatall equivalents thereof be included within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A highly absorbent tampon blank comprising absorbent fibers andhaving in an uncompressed condition an overall length of at least about3 /2 inches and less than about 5 inches, said blank having a proximalend and an oppositely disposed distal end, said distal end having adrawstring attached thereto, said blank being tapered in the portionthereof adjacent said proximal end whereby the transversecross-sectional areas thereof are reduced as the proximal end isapproached, said blank weighing at least about 3.6 grams and having amaxi-mum transverse cross-sectional area which does not exceed about 1.2square inches when measured under a pressure of 0.25 pound per squareinch gage exerted on the Opposed faces of the blank, said blankintermediate said proximal end and points spaced 3 /2 inches from saiddistal end being sized and configured so that the transversecross-sectional areas thereof do not exceed a maximum based on thefollowing equation:

wherein A is the maximum transverse cross-sectional area, in squareinches, at a specified distance from said distal end, e is the base ofthe natural logarithmic system, about 2.72, and L is the distance of thearea from said distal end, in inches.

2. The tampon of claim 1 in which said blank is of uniform transversecross-sectional area from said distal end to said tapered portion.

3. The tampon of claim 1 in which said blank is tapered along a secondportion thereof, said second portion being adjacent said distal end andtapering from a maximum transverse cross-sectional area in the centralregion of said blank to a smaller transverse cross-sectional area at thedistal end thereof.

4. The tampon of claim 3 in which the transverse cross-sectionaldimensions of the distal and proximal ends of said blank are identicaland the tapered said portion and second portion abut, whereby aplurality of said blanks are nestable and may be cut from a flat battwithout substantial waste.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,414 3/1950 Rabell 1282852,761,449 9/1956 Bletzinger 128-485 3,068,867 12/1962 Bletzinger et a1.128285 3,204,635 9/1965 Voss et al 128263 3,291,130 12/1966 Whitehead128285 3,347,237 10/1967 Jones 128285 CHARLES F. ROSENBAUM, PrimaryExaminer.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

